Thick-billed Murre

A common bird of the far northern oceans, the Thick-billed Murre is found in Arctic waters all across the globe. It remains up to the limits of pack ice in winter, using its wings to swim underwater to find its fish and invertebrate prey.

Measurements

Both Sexes

Length

17.7 in45 cm

Weight

26.5–52.2 oz 750–1481 g

Other Names

Brünnich's Murre, Brünnich's Guillemot

Guillemot de Brünnich (French)

Cool Facts

The Thick-billed Murre is one of the deepest underwater divers of all birds, regularly descending to depths of more than 100 m, and occasionally below 200 m. It can remain submerged for more than three minutes.

The Thick-billed Murre does not build a nest, but incubating birds often shift pebbles or other debris, sometimes dropping them close to the site. When cemented by feces, these fragments may help to keep the egg from rolling off ledge if it is dislodged.